Struggling Against Crime: South Africa's Minister Addresses Gang Violence

Tue Feb 03 2026 15:58:07 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Police Minister Firoz Cachalia admits South African authorities are battling to control the surge in gang violence across the country. With alarming homicide rates and complex gang operations, significant changes in strategy are needed.

In a candid statement, South Africa's Police Minister Firoz Cachalia revealed the struggles of law enforcement in combating gang violence, particularly in the Eastern and Western Cape. The growing complexity of gang activities, fueled by a high number of illegal firearms, poses a significant challenge. With roughly 63 murders daily linked to gangs, new strategies beyond traditional policing are essential to tackle the crime wave that deeply concerns the nation.

South Africa's Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has stated that the country’s security forces are unable to defeat the escalating gang violence characterizing the crime crisis. Cachalia's remarks underline the troubling state of law enforcement as gangs continue to wreak havoc.

Gang violence and robberies lead to many of the nation's murders, contributing to one of the highest homicide rates globally. Cachalia specifically highlighted the increasing complexity of gang operations in the Eastern and Western Cape provinces, signaling the need for innovative strategies beyond conventional policing.

I do not believe that we are currently in a position to defeat these gangs, Cachalia stated, indicating a grim outlook. He noted that entrenched organized crime has long plagued South Africa, exacerbated by a combination of legal and illegal firearms among its populous communities.

According to police statistics, approximately 63 lives are claimed daily to violence, reflecting dire circumstances. In light of these developments, Cachalia's announcement comes amidst ongoing violence, particularly after a surge of killings was recorded in Nelson Mandela Bay, where 118 homicides occurred between August and December last year.

With the creation of an anti-gang unit in 2019, the response to gang violence appears to be reactive rather than comprehensive, with officials acknowledging that despite the efforts of law enforcement, crime is on the rise. President Cyril Ramaphosa has pledged to bolster law enforcement initiatives and enhance police presence to confront this distressing trend.